Chocolate Mound Stonecrop

Chocolate Mound Stonecrop (Sedum spurium 'Chocolate Mound') is a carpeting succulent that grows about 10cm high and spreads to around 60cm wide. Rosettes of reddish-purple leaves line its stems, and pink starry flowers follow in summer and autumn. It loves hot sun and dry soil, and it thrives on neglect.

Why you'll love it

• Rich wine-red foliage. Rosettes of reddish-purple leaves give colour through the year, strongest in full sun.
• Pink stars for pollinators. Starry pink flowers in summer and autumn attract beneficial pollinators.
• Forgives neglect. It loves hot sun and dry soil and handles exposed positions, so it suits busy gardeners and people learning to garden.
• Spreads to cover ground. Stems root as they run, so a single plant becomes a carpet, even in tough spots.
• Fits small spaces. It squeezes into cracks, pockets and the edges of paving where little else will go.

Where it works best

Groundcover in tough spots. Plant 25cm apart and let the stems root as they spread. A bare patch fills in by itself over a season or two.

Rockeries and roof gardens. Shallow soil and full sun are no problem. It drapes over stones and fills the gaps between them.

Coastal and waterwise beds. Sandy, rocky soil and exposed sites suit it, which makes it useful near the sea and in dry beds.

Growing Chocolate Mound Stonecrop in Australia

Position and climate. Bright sunlight gives the strongest leaf colour. It will grow in shade, but the colour is not as rich. It is cold hardy and handles heat, so it suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid climates. Where summers are humid, drainage matters most.

Soil. Free-draining, gritty soil. It is very happy in rocky and sandy ground and in exposed locations. Heavy clay that stays wet is the one thing to avoid.

Water and feed. Water new plants until they root in, then leave it alone. Established plants only need a drink if they soften, droop or wrinkle, particularly in a long hot spell.

Pruning. No pruning is needed. To get more plants, encourage stems to lie on the soil and root. To limit its spread, pull stems up or mulch with stone chips beneath them.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Chocolate Mound Stonecrop as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives small, and the stems root along as they spread, so plant it with room to run. In warm sun the carpet forms over a season or two.

Tube stock is grown for us and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Groundcover plants
• Rockery plants for dry gardens
• Coastal and salt tolerant plants
• Top plants for ground cover

Common questions

Will it take over my garden?

It spreads freely along the ground and roots as it goes, but it is shallow rooted and easy to pull. Mulch with stone chips under the stems if you want to hold it back.

Will it grow in shade?

It will, but the reddish-purple leaf colour is not as strong. For the best colour, give it bright sun.

Is it a good plant for children?

Yes. It is forgiving, loves hot sun and dry soil, and is hard to kill, so it is a good first plant for young gardeners and for anyone who thinks they cannot keep a plant alive.